10 Signs You Are Deficient In Magnesium (And What To Do About It)

Did you
know? A whopping 90%
of humans are estimated to be deficient in magnesium.
Considering the mineral is responsible for over 300 biochemical reactions in
the body, as well as impacts blood pressure, metabolism, and immune function,
obtaining adequate stores of the nutrient is vital.

What, Exactly, Is Magnesium?

Magnesium is
a mineral found in the Earth, sea, plants, animals, and humans. The majority
(60%) of magnesium is found in your bones, while the rest is in your muscles,
soft tissues, and fluids. Every cell in your body needs magnesium to function.
In fact, one of magnesium’s main roles is acting as a cofactor or “helper molecule” in the biochemical reactions
performed by enzymes, reports Healthline.

Why Is Magnesium Deficiency So Widespread?

Depleted soil conditions mean
that plants (and animals that are fed from those plants) are lower in
magnesium.

The use of chemicals, such as
fluoride and chlorine, bind to magnesium, making the water supply low in
the mineral, as well.

Common substances — such as
sugar and caffeine — deplete the body’s magnesium levels.

Stress also taxes the endocrine
system, depleting levels of magnesium

Folks who
live near the ocean (good source of magnesium), eat foods grown in
magnesium-rich soil, and drink magnesium-rich water don’t necessarily have to
worry about being deficient. However, that doesn’t apply to the majority of
people living on Earth.

You Might Be Deficient In Magnesium If…

As Wellness Mama points
out, risk factors for low magnesium vary. However, the following are clues that
you might need more magnesium:

You’re addicted to sugar

You take calcium supplements

You drink soda and other sugar-filled drinks

You suspect or have been diagnosed with celiac disease or other digestive disorders (like Crohn’s disease)

10 Symptoms Of Magnesium Deficiency

Some experts
claim that magnesium deficiency is the single largest health problem in our
world today. Following are symptoms that you may be experiencing a deficiency
of the vital mineral.

Calcification of the arteries, Unfortunately, this is one of the first symptoms to appear, as well as one of the most serious. Calcification of the arteries can occur from low magnesium levels. As a result, one’s preposition to develop coronary problems, like heart attacks, heart failure, and heart disease, is increased. Magnesium’s ability to prevent over-calcification is one reason why the Framingham Health Study found that consuming enough magnesium lowers the risk of coronary heart disease. Believe it or not, half of all heart attack patients received injections of magnesium chloride to help stop the blood clotting and calcification.

Muscle Spasming & Cramping This is one of the most notable symptoms of being deficient in magnesium. Just as calcification can cause stiffening of the arteries, it can cause stiffening of muscle tissue, as well. This can result in awful cramps and spasms. Fortunately, consuming enough magnesium (or supplementing the nutrient) can reduce the incidence of this symptom.

Anxiety & Depression Anxiety and depression affect millions of people. Could something as simple as magnesium helps to reduce the blues? Research suggests “yes.”Psychology Today explains one possible reason: “Magnesium hangs out in the synapse between two neurons along with calcium and glutamate. If you recall, calcium and glutamate are excitatory, and in excess, toxic (link is external). They activate the NMDA receptor. Magnesium can sit on the NMDA receptor without activating it, like a guard at the gate. Therefore, if we are deficient in magnesium, there’s no guard. Calcium and glutamate can activate the receptor-like there is no tomorrow. In the long term, this damages the neurons, eventually leading to cell death. In the brain, that is not an easy situation to reverse or remedy.”

Hormone Imbalances If you experience crazy “ups” and “downs” before or after your period, it’s likely your body is deficient in magnesium. The higher the estrogen or progesterone levels in a woman’s body, the lower the magnesium. This is also why pregnant women experience more leg cramps. According to Dr. Carolyn Dean, author of the book The Magnesium Miracle, muscle cramps related to the menstrual cycle can also be related to magnesium levels. She recommends women with bad PMS and cramps take magnesium early in their cycles before the symptoms begin.

High Blood Pressure / Hypertension A Harvard study with over 70,000 people found that those with the highest magnesium intake had the healthiest blood pressure numbers. A follow-up meta-analysis of available studies showed a dose-dependent reduction of blood pressure with magnesium supplementation. That’s not all — a University of Minnesota study found that the risk for hypertension was 70% lower in women with adequate/high magnesium levels.

Pregnancy Discomfort Similar to hormone problems, low magnesium levels can adversely affect pregnancy health and mood. Some women report less morning sickness during pregnancy when supplementing with transdermal magnesium. Magnesium can also reduce hypertension and muscle cramps during pregnancy. Supplementation can also help to ward off preterm labour and alleviate headaches.

Low Energy You may remember from biology class that magnesium is required in the reactions that create ATP energy in cells. As Wellness Mama summarizes, ATP or adenosine triphosphate is the main source of energy in the cells. To be active, it must bind to a magnesium ion. In other words, without magnesium, you literally won’t have energy on a cellular level. This can show up as fatigue, low energy, lack of drive, and other problems.

Bone Health Most people regard calcium as the most important mineral for healthy bones. While it is important, magnesium may even be more so! In cases of magnesium deficiency, the bone suffers in the following ways:

Vitamin D Absorption Magnesium is essential for vitamin D to turn on calcium absorption. That’s why magnesium supplementation may be necessary when taking vitamin D (or else levels may become even more depleted).

Proper Calcium Use Magnesium is required to stimulate the hormone calcitonin which draws calcium out of the muscles and tissues and into the bones. This helps explain why magnesium helps lower the risk of osteoporosis, arthritis, kidney stones, and heart attack.

Sleep Problems Melatonin, chamomile, and lavender are all helpful aids to snooze peacefully. However, magnesium is the ultimate relaxation mineral, as Dr. Mark Hyman says. Magnesium helps to relax the body and the mind, which both contribute to restful sleep. Furthermore, magnesium is required for the proper function of the GABA receptors in the brain. GABA is the neurotransmitter that allows the brain to transition to a restful state.

Other Symptoms A number of vitamins and minerals work synergistically and magnesium tops the list. It is needed for the proper utilization of calcium, potassium, vitamin K, vitamin D, and other nutrients. By using magnesium externally or transdermally (“across the skin”), the body can absorb what it needs without absorbing too much.

The Best Ways To Boost Your Magnesium Levels

Believe it
or not, magnesium deficiency is actually quite simple for the body to resolve
with the right form of magnesium. Most of the supplements on the market are
pills or solutions taken internally. Though these can be effective, they can
also cause digestive disturbances or stress the kidney (definitely not ideal
during pregnancy). Furthermore, experts estimate that magnesium absorption in
the digestive system ranges from 20-55%, depending on the source. That means
more than half of the magnesium leaves the body as waste.

Research
currently shows that a combination of oral magnesium (in the right form) and
topical magnesium is ideal for boosting low levels. A slow-release option can
have an absorption rate up to 85%. This
one, for example, has been formulated to decrease digestive distress. It
also contains B vitamins.

Foods Abundant In Magnesium

If
supplements aren’t for you — no worries! There are plenty of nutrient-dense
foods that are rich sources of magnesium. The following contain high levels of
the anti-stress mineral:

About the Author

Mandy
Froelich is an RHN, plant-based chef, journalist, Reiki master therapist, world
traveller and enthusiast of everything to do with animal rights, sustainability,
cannabis and conscious living. She share healthy recipes on my blog Life in
Bloom.

Summary

Nearly
everyone is magnesium deficient. However, it is a relatively simple deficiency
to correct — if you take action to eat more magnesium-rich foods or supplements.
If you experience any of the symptoms above, consult with your doctor and/or
receive a blood panel to determine if you are deficient. At the very least,
consuming more magnesium-rich foods will reduce your chances of experiencing
the hardening of the arteries, enhance your sleep, and help balance your mood.

Sources:

Aarhus
University. (2013, October 4). Research reveals the mechanism of the
sodium-potassium pump. ScienceDaily.

The 9 Best Fermented Foods For Your Gut

Fermented food has made a comeback in recent years, partially thanks to the popularization of Weston A. Price teachings. Fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi aren’t considered to be the most appealing types of food; however, research exploring these and other fermented products on gut, brain, and body health has revitalized public interest.

The fermentation process encourages essential bacteria such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria to flourish. This makes fermentation a good source of probiotics for vegans, since many fermented foods are plant based. Vegetables are submerged in a salty brine during preparation to kill off dangerous, pathogenic bacteria. The good bacteria break down lactose and other sugars and starches in the food, making digestion easier. And once they reach your gut, they continue to help break down food and keep out bad guys like E. coli and C. difficile

The Best Fermented Foods

When it comes to fermented foods, your options aren’t limited to sauerkraut or fermented soy. There’s other fantastic options that are considered “fermented,” including tea, yogurt, and various vegetables. Here are the 9 best fermented foods you should be eating for your gut.

1.Yogurt

Yogurt has many benefits, mostly due to its rich probiotic content. Brands of yogurt that contain billions of live active cultures may support digestion, and some research indicates it could even benefit the skin. [1] Raw, unpasteurized yogurt is ideal if you can handle dairy. Personally, I tend to skip dairy altogether, but you can find dairy-free yogurt options at many stores these days, some of which are made from coconut and almond milk. Be sure you’re choosing yogurt that contains live active cultures, and try to choose plain, full-fat versions in order to avoid sugar. Yogurt that contains sugar can be counterproductive, as sugars feed pathogenic bacteria and contribute to sugar overload.

2. Natto

Natto is prepared with soybeans and is fermented so it forms the beneficial bacteria Bacillus. It’s an excellent source of calcium, iron, dietary fibre, and vitamin K2. You may not have heard a lot about it, but K2 is essential for heart health as it keeps calcium out of your arteries and gets it to your bones where it’s needed. Natto also contains nattokinase, a powerful anti-clotting agent that protects your heart and brain and lowers your blood pressure.

3. Kefir

Kefir is a bit like yogurt, except that it’s more of a drinkable consistency. Researchers report kefir may reduce irritation in the intestines, preventing toxins and other pathogens from getting into the blood. [2] If you’re choosing to drink dairy kefir, make sure it’s organic and isn’t loaded with refined sugar. There are options for making your own dairy-free water kefir, and many health food companies online sell kefir grains specifically for this purpose. You can also check out our recipe for making coconut milk kefir.

4. Kombucha

Made from tea, clean water, sugar, yeast, and bacteria, kombucha has become popular recently for its probiotic qualities. Its fizzy bite is also popular among those used to drinking soda. Research finds this fermented tea fights off E. coli and Staph bacteria in the digestive tract, possibly protecting against illness and aiding digestion. [3]

5. Sauerkraut

Traditional sauerkraut preparation uses water, salt, and cabbage, and very little heat is applied to the final product in order to prevent killing off beneficial microbes. The sour taste comes from lacto-fermentation, or the breakdown of lactose by the probiotic bacteria native to the cabbage. A serving gives you a powerful dose of healthy probiotics that aid digestion, and research has found raw sauerkraut prevents cancer cells from forming. [4] Be sure to purchase raw sauerkraut, or better yet, make it yourself with organic cabbage and Himalayan salt.

6. Kimchi

This spicy Asian fermented cabbage, similar to sauerkraut, provides you with loads of probiotics. Extensive research indicates it contributes to colon health, lower cholesterol, better thinking, a stronger immune system, healthy skin, and weight loss. Additional research also shows it has anti-oxidative, anti-aging, and immune-supporting properties. [5]

7. Tempeh

This Indonesian ‘cake’ has a nutty flavour and chewy texture, and because of this it is often used as a replacement for meat in many vegan recipes. Traditionally made from soybeans and a yeast starter, it undergoes controlled fermentation that makes it a great source of probiotic bacteria. Tempeh is also a great source of calcium, iron, and magnesium.

8. Pickles

Raw pickles, much like sauerkraut, makes for a great introduction to fermented foods. Pickles made by lacto-fermentation makes this a delicious snack and a great food for aiding digestion and supporting a strong immune system.

9. Lassi

Yogurt and fermented dairy play an important role in Indian cuisine. Lassi is made by combining yogurt and milk (or water) and sometimes fruit and spices to create a great probiotic-rich drink. It digests quickly, helps restore friendly gut bacteria, and soothes irritation in the colon. Again, I don’t recommend consuming conventional dairy, especially from cows. If you are going to drink lassi, it’s best to find a product using grass-fed, free-range goat milk. Goat milk tends to digest more easily. If you’re vegan, try finding or making lassi with organic coconut or almond milk yogurt.

Other Tips to Support Digestion

Each of these 9 probiotic foods will help restore balance to your intestinal ecosystem, but they’re not the only way to support digestion. Prebiotics, or foods containing inulin, sustain your current gut bacteria by providing them the foods they need to thrive. Probiotic supplements, digestive enzymes, and colon and liver cleansing are also great ways to support your digestive system.

About the Author

Dr. Edward F. Group III (DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM) founded Global Healing Center in 1998 and is currently the Chief Executive Officer. Heading up the research and development team, Dr. Group assumes a hands-on approach in producing new and advanced degenerative disease products and information.

Dr. Group has studied natural healing methods for over 20 years and now teaches individuals and practitioners all around the world. He no longer sees patients but solely concentrates on spreading the word of health and wellness to the global community. Under his leadership, Global Healing Center, Inc. has earned recognition as one of the largest alternative, natural and organic health resources on the internet.

The Importance Of A Kidney Cleansing Diet

The importance of maintaining a kidney cleansing diet cannot be overemphasized. Healthy kidneys are essential to a variety of body functions. Your kidneys help detoxify your blood by removing toxic compounds and passing them out through the urine. If blood cleansing becomes impeded, toxins can remain and circulate throughout the body to cause harm.

Choosing a diet that naturally supports your kidneys will help keep them functioning at their best.

The Function of the Kidneys

Healthy kidneys help manage body fluid stability by regulating the balance of sodium and water. The kidneys also manage the balance between alkalinity and acidity, and they regulate the hormones and enzymes responsible for controlling blood pressure. In addition, as mentioned previously, your kidneys help filter out toxins that build up in response to diet and the environment.

The imbalance of body water caused by toxic kidneys has been linked to negative emotional states, such as stress, paranoia, uncontrolled muscle shaking, general feelings of insecurity and fear, and even panics attacks. Kidney cleansing helps promote the optimal function of the kidneys. When in optimal health, your kidneys can purify your blood up to 60 times per day.

Teas That Cleanse the Kidneys

There are many teas that you can brew yourself that will help cleanse your kidneys.

Dandelion root removes excess water from the body by stimulating urine production. Dandelion root tea can be made by boiling 1 to 2 tsp. of organic roasted dandelion root in 8 ounces of pure water.

Ginger root and turmeric tea can be made by boiling a few dashes of turmeric powder with peeled ginger root. If consumed after lunch and dinner, the tea not only flushes toxins from the kidneys but also helps with digestion.

Cleansing with Fruits and Vegetables

You can also find many organic fruits that will help your body with kidney cleansing. Organic grapes can be eaten raw to provide nutrients and antioxidants that support detoxification. Grapes help flush uric acid and other waste products from the kidneys.

Organic cranberries provide us with quinine, a compound that is sent to the liver. Hippuric acid, which is converted from quinine, helps remove urea and uric acid from the kidneys and urinary tract. It also helps discourage bacteria from attaching to urinary tract walls. Cranberry juice is a great kidney supporter.

There are also several organic cleansing vegetables that are readily available in almost every grocery store.

Garlic is a natural diuretic that helps stimulate urine production and flush out the kidneys. Cucumbers also work as a natural diuretic and can help dissolve kidney and bladder stones. Sprouts help flush out the kidneys because they contain so much water.

Onions have been reputed to help people pass kidney stones. The onions are boiled, then liquefied in a blender along with the water they were cooked in. Kidney beans, soybeans, and peas contain a vital amino acid called arginine that helps cleanse the kidneys of ammonia.

A General Rule of Thumb

Eating pure, whole, and raw foods will provide the necessary support for your kidneys as well as every other detoxifying organ in your body. Most raw leafy greens, low-sugar fruits (think berries), and nuts and seeds can support your health in numerous ways, not just for cleansing. Also, it is imperative that you drink enough pure, filtered water every day in order to provide an easier route for toxins to evacuate your kidneys. You can use distilled water for this purpose; simply add 1 tbsp. of raw apple cider vinegar to an 8-ounce glass to give it an extra boost.

About the Author

Dr. Edward F. Group III (DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM) founded Global Healing Center in 1998 and is currently the Chief Executive Officer. Heading up the research and development team, Dr. Group assumes a hands-on approach in producing new and advanced degenerative disease products and information.

Dr. Group has studied natural healing methods for over 20 years and now teaches individuals and practitioners all around the world. He no longer sees patients but solely concentrates on spreading the word of health and wellness to the global community. Under his leadership, Global Healing Center, Inc. has earned recognition as one of the largest alternative, natural and organic health resources on the internet.

How Does The Alkaline Diet Affect Gut Health?

The alkaline diet is a popular diet aimed at managing acidity levels within the body. The alkaline diet claims you can consume certain foods to adjust your body’s acidity, or pH levels, to improve your health.[1]

The pH scale runs from 0 (acidic) to 14 (basic or alkaline); 7 is neutral.[2] The body uses nutrients and electrolytes to maintain balance, which exists within a narrow pH range. It requires a slightly alkaline environment between 7.35 and 7.45, usually around 7.4.[3]

The human body is a complex collection of systems, organs, and fluids that work together to sustain life. While some systems seem more important than others, each one has a very specific purpose. When the various bits and pieces work together in harmony we call it homeostasis. If just one system is out of balance, homeostasis is disrupted and health and wellness can suffer. Although your body’s pH is important, it is one of many components that contribute to homeostasis.

Studies show the modern diet increases the body’s acidity levels.[4] The alkaline diet suggests that you can manage your internal pH levels, especially in your gut. The gut does have an incredibly important role in your health, but before we get into that, let’s take a closer look at this diet.

What Is the Alkaline Diet?

Also called the acid-ash diet, the alkaline diet is an effort to eat foods with certain pH levels for the purpose of influencing body acidity. The idea makes sense, but it’s important to understand that it’s not the pH level of the food itself that matters, but the effect that food has on the body.[5] For example, a lemon itself is acidic, but once in the body, it encourages alkalinity.

People who follow the diet (including celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham[6]) claim to experience benefits such as weight loss, increased energy, and better resistance to certain diseases. However, despite its popularity, the scientific data has not yet proven these claims to be true.

It’s hard to say if the alkaline diet really has any effect on the body’s pH balance. The human body does require regulation and management of pH but it uses internal buffering agents to accomplish this. Your body automatically regulates its own acid-base equilibrium regardless of what you eat.[7]

In other ways, however, the diet does seem to offer real benefits; largely thought to be the result of healthier eating in general, as the alkaline diet tends to encourage foods that are a good source of important nutrients and antioxidants. Research suggests such a diet helps support normal hormone levels, bone health, and muscle mass.[8]

Does the Alkaline Diet Work?

To determine if a diet “works,” it’s important to establish the specific goals and indicators of success. Is it an attempt to lose weight? Gain energy? Build muscle?

From a purely nutritional standpoint, the alkaline diet is strong. It centres heavily around fruits and vegetables. Researchers suggest the absence of these foods in people’s diets is what contributes to many of today’s health problems.[9, 10] Do keep in mind, however, that any diet that includes natural foods will better support your health than a diet that doesn’t. But, eating healthy, natural foods, not a change in acid levels, is what appears to prompt the benefit.

Another goal of the alkaline diet is to slow or stop osteoporosis. It’s based on the acid-ash hypothesis of osteoporosis. This hypothesis is that a diet high in proteins and grains and low in potassium causes bone loss. Some studies suggest men and women with higher blood acidity have a higher rate of bone loss.

Unfortunately, research doesn’t seem to support the claim. Studies do not show that the alkaline diet prevents calcium loss from osteoporosis.[11] Recent research shows collagen cross-linking, a part of bone formation, has a more direct role in osteoporosis.[12]

The bottom line is that your body is a complex system. Vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and other nutrients affect many different systems. Before you start a diet, consider how it measures results.

Measuring the Diet’s Results

Advocates for this diet claim its success can be determined by the pH of urine. It’s true that the food you eat changes the pH of your urine. Meats and cheeses, for example, make it more acidic. Fruits and veggies make it less.[13]

However, urine acidity alone is not an accurate test. The acid-alkaline status of your body is much more complex than a simple urine test can reveal and a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition suggests urine pH may be an unreliable measurement.[14] Urine only tells you how much acid you’ve excreted. It doesn’t provide complete information on the internal pH levels throughout your body.[15] You have a lot of different fluids in your body and they all have different pH levels. Urine pH ranges from 4.6 to 8[16] while your blood typically hovers around 7.4.[17]

That said, the alkaline diet may “work,” just not in the way you might think, or want. Again, it’s hard to go wrong eating a lot of fruits and vegetables!

Potential Benefits of the Alkaline Diet

Your body keeps tight control over your acid-alkaline levels. The foods you eat may alter urinary acid levels, but do little to alter your pH otherwise.[18] The alkaline diet may not live up to its claims with respect to influencing acidity, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t make good dietary recommendations. To the contrary, it promotes many natural, organic plant based foods high in vitamin C, selenium, iron, and zinc; all of which support gut health and the immune system.[19] Spinach and almonds, cashews, and peanuts contain kidney-stone-preventing oxalates.[20] Sweet red peppers, broccoli, and carrots offer large amounts of vitamin A. This promotes healing and recovery in your skin, especially from conditions like acne.[21]

Many of the foods suggested by the alkaline diet provide nutrient-dense, low-calorie alternatives to traditional dietary choices.[22] Lower calorie foods can improve energy levels and support a healthy body weight.[23] When you cut out foods high in omega-6 fatty acids, you reduce your levels of arachidonic acid, which causes the inflammation associated with heart disease and joint pain.[24] An alkaline diet also encourages you to avoid processed foods and refined sugars, neither of which offer any nutritional benefits and both of which are common causes of insomnia. Eliminating them from your diet can help you get deeper, more restful sleep.[25]

The “efficacy” of the alkaline diet has nothing to do with your pH levels but is rather all about the many benefits of eating organic food. The nutrients delivered have a far greater impact on your health than the pH of your urine. Nutrition affects your gut health and overall wellness more than any other factor.

Role of Nutrition in Health and Wellness

Gut health has a tremendous influence on your overall health; that’s why regular cleansing is so important — to remove toxins and encourage your gut to be in good, working order. Cleansing supports the many systems in your body that are designed to work together and strengthen each other. Their functioning in harmony is the definition of wellness. When you provide your body with adequate nutrition, whether it’s labelled as “the alkaline diet” or otherwise, you’re encouraging a harmonious environment that’s best suited to experience homeostasis.

The Diet We Recommend for Gut Health

Nutrition and cleansing can support each other and are two of the most important things you can do for your wellness. If you’re looking for a plan for healthy eating, I recommend the Body Cleansing Diet, which I believe is the best eating plan for the average person to keep their body healthy and clean. It consists of raw, organic fruits and vegetables, and the benefits are many — incredible nutrition, toxin removal, and a healthy gut environment. (Check out the Body Cleansing Diet here.) You might notice similarities between the Body Cleansing Diet and the alkaline diet. I didn’t aim for that when I created this program, but foods thought to help you maintain a pH balance also happen to be the same as those that best cleanse and nourish your body.

No matter what you eat, try to understand the role of nutrition in health. Food is fuel. You wouldn’t put bad gas in your car, so don’t put bad food in your body.

About the Author

Dr. Edward F. Group III (DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM) founded Global Healing Center in 1998 and is currently the Chief Executive Officer. Heading up the research and development team, Dr. Group assumes a hands-on approach in producing new and advanced degenerative disease products and information.

Dr. Group has studied natural healing methods for over 20 years and now teaches individuals and practitioners all around the world. He no longer sees patients but solely concentrates on spreading the word of health and wellness to the global community. Under his leadership, Global Healing Center, Inc. has earned recognition as one of the largest alternative, natural and organic health resources on the internet.

The Stages Of Fasting: What Happens To Your Body When You Fast?

While fasting is nothing new, it is experiencing a resurgence in popularity as many discover its health benefits. If you are planning your first fast or looking for ways to improve your next one, there are a few things you should do to prepare. The first step is learning about the different stages of fasting. This knowledge helps you mentally and physically prepare for what happens to your body when you fast.

The stages of fasting outlined below are based off a water fast, a traditional fast in which you abstain from any food and only drink water for 12-48 hours or longer. Personal experiences can vary depending on the type of fast, age, or health of the individual, but these should give you a general idea of what to expect when you fast.

Stage 1: Day 1-2

Stage one lasts for the first couple of days of the fast or about 12-48 hours from your last meal. Usually, it is a good idea to put some planning and preparation into how and when you will start a fast. Try selecting a start day and time and then make preparations in your schedule for the duration of your fast.

How You Feel: Hungry

This stage is when your body transitions into fasting mode and, for many people, it’s the most challenging part of their fast. This stage is where you start to feel the hunger pains as you skip your regular mealtime routine. Most first time fasters start to feel a reduction in their energy levels. These effects can induce a negative mood or irritability for most fasters. It’s wise to prepare yourself for the possibility of being short on patience during this stage.

What’s Happening With Your Body: Battery Save Mode

Several things happen at the cellular level that cause hunger and fatigue during this first stage. When you’re eating regularly, your body breaks down glucose to get the energy it needs to function properly. While you’re fasting, your body needs to produce sugar for energy, so it begins a process called gluconeogenesis. During gluconeogenesis, your liver converts non-carbohydrate materials like lactate, amino acids, and fats into glucose. As your body goes into “battery save mode,” your basal metabolic rate, or BMR, becomes more efficient and uses less energy. This power saving process includes lowering your heart rate and blood pressure. At this stage, you may feel drained. However, if you stick it out for a little longer, some of that lost energy will return.[1]

Benefits: Mental Strength and Heart Health

Fasting these first few days can be difficult, but there are mental and physical benefits. Mentally, the act of fasting is an excellent way to exercise your willpower. Similar to the strength runners might feel after pushing their body to run that extra mile, people who choose to fast can feel strength as they fight through those natural urges to eat. Physically, there are incredible cleansing and heart health benefits taking place, too. As BMR lowers, fat in the blood starts to disappear as it’s metabolized for energy. This process promotes a healthy heart, and for some, improves cholesterol levels by boosting HDL levels.[2]

Stage 2: Day 3-7

Stage two starts around the end of day two and lasts until day seven. A lot of changes begin to happen at this stage, and you may start to notice changes in your physical appearance, as well as how you feel.

How You Feel: Less Hungry and More Energetic

By stage two, ketosis has begun. Ketosis is a critical phase of the fast where your body starts to burn stored fat as its primary power source. As the processes of ketosis are carried out inside your body, you might stop feeling hungry and tired. The practice of putting your body into ketosis has a growing movement behind it. It is ideal for weight loss, balancing blood sugar, and more. Best of all, you don’t even have to fast to put your body into ketosis. Eating the right foods at the right time can be enough to start this fat burning process. There are even vegan ketogenic diet plans available so you can still eat health-promoting foods to stay in ketosis.

What’s Happening With Your Body: Fat Burning Mode

When you consume a typical diet of carbohydrate rich foods, your body breaks down sugars and starches into glucose. Glucose is the primary source of energy for the body. However, when you fast or go into ketosis glucose becomes limited, and your body must turn to fat stores for the energy it requires. Your body breaks fat down into glycerol and fatty acids. The liver synthesizes ketones using glycerol. The glycerol is broken down by the liver for additional glucose, and finally, those ketones are used by your brain as glucose becomes less available.[

Benefits: Weight Loss and Cleansing

Burning fat has several benefits for your health—the first being weight loss. Ketosis is a predictable way to target fat stores that otherwise remain untouched even with a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, getting rid of that extra fat has a detoxifying effect on the body. Your body’s natural defences use fat stores to store toxic metals and other toxins so they can’t wreak havoc on your system. However, during ketosis, these toxic metals and toxins are safely expelled from your body as fat reserves get used up.[3] This cleansing effect may temporarily alter some people’s complexion or cause other signs of a healing crisis.

Stage 3: Day 8-15

Stage three typically falls between day eight and 15. This stage includes dramatic improvements in mood and mental clarity and is the stage seasoned fasters look forward to the most.

How You Feel: Clear Minded

By the third stage a sort of “fasting high” begins. This boost happens when your body fully adjusts to fasting. While not everyone reaches this stage, those who do report a dramatic improvement in how they feel. These improvements include an elevated mood, increased energy levels, and a type of clear mindedness unique to fasting.

What’s Happening With Your Body: Healing Mode

During stage three, your body starts to enter into a “healing mode.” This healing process begins as your digestive system takes a rest from the common stressors and toxins it endures on a daily basis. As a result, your body has fewer free radicals entering the mix, and oxidative stress decreases.[4]

On the flip side, fasting causes a stress that provides an added benefit. This is a kind of mild stress that is comparable to the stress caused by exercise, which ultimately makes you stronger and your immune system more resilient.[5]

Benefits: Healthy Aging

When the cumulative effects of this stage add up, they can be the catalyst for significant health improvements. Anytime you limit free radicals and oxidative stress you are encouraging healthy aging and positioning yourself for fewer health complications.[6] While less researched, this healing process seems to improve health for some.

Stage 4: Day 16 and Beyond

Stage four occurs sometime around day 16 and continues through the duration of your fast. While there may be some changes moving beyond this juncture, there is a daily balance that starts to set in.

How You Feel: Balanced

If you make it to stage four, you are at a place most have never gone. This stage, while doable, should only be attempted under close supervision from a trusted health care professional. For those that do make it this far, there are not any drastic shifts that occur in how you feel. Instead, a steady balance seems to set in.

What’s Happening With Your Body: Healing Mode Extended

Stage four is the extension and completion of the healing and cleansing processes that began during the earlier stages. The longer you fast, the more time and opportunity your body has to heal and cleanse itself.

Benefits: Personal Goals and Growth

If you make it this far, the benefit becomes personal. Fasting, especially beyond the first seven days, takes steadfast dedication. What you get out of the fast in these later stages can be a culmination of all the earlier stages or an accomplishment of a personal health goal. For some, it is weight loss, for others, it is a strategy to heal a particular health complication.

Stage 5: Breaking the Fast

Stage five may come sooner or later, depending on your fasting goal. While we don’t assign a specific target day, you may want to make breaking your fast a planned event you can look forward to and celebrate when it’s all done.

How You Feel: Accomplished

Whether you fasted for half a day or a full month, you should feel accomplished. Taking deliberate action to improve your health or testing your limits is something worth celebrating.

What’s Happening With Your Body: Easing Out of Fasting Mode

How you choose to end your fast is critical. Depending on how long you fast, you may need to ease your way back into eating solid food. Fruit juices, cooked vegetables, and broths can help acclimate your body and digestive system to eating as internal mechanisms come back online.

Benefits: Start Something New

With careful planning and thought, fasting can be an incredible springboard into a healthier lifestyle. One suggestion is to make plans before you even start your fast. Write down what you’re hoping to get out of it and what you want to accomplish. If done correctly, the end of a fast is the perfect time to begin a dramatically healthier diet and lifestyle.

Additional Fasting Tips

Bowel movements and bad breath are two subjects that most people usually avoid discussing, but when fasting, you need to be aware of both.

During stage one and two of the fast, your body will still be expelling toxins and damaged cells every time you go to the bathroom. Using an intestinal cleansing product, like Oxy-Powder will help more thoroughly cleanse and detoxify your body.

Bad breath will be a concern throughout every stage of a fast. Slightly offensive breath is completely natural and part of the detoxing processes. If you are worried about your breath while you fast, I have created an all-natural solution. It’s called Fresh Mouth, and it comes in a convenient spray bottle that fits in your pocket. Just a few sprays and your mouth will feel fresh and smell great!

About the Author

Dr. Edward F. Group III (DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM) founded Global Healing Center in 1998 and is currently the Chief Executive Officer. Heading up the research and development team, Dr. Group assumes a hands-on approach in producing new and advanced degenerative disease products and information.

Dr. Group has studied natural healing methods for over 20 years and now teaches individuals and practitioners all around the world. He no longer sees patients but solely concentrates on spreading the word of health and wellness to the global community. Under his leadership, Global Healing Center, Inc. has earned recognition as one of the largest alternative, natural and organic health resources on the internet.